Page 34 of When I Forgot Us (Blue River #1)
“I have to be one of the most blessed women in the world to have you love me.” She wrapped her other arm across his stomach and locked her hands together at his hip.
The press of her body distracted him momentarily, but he dragged his attention back to the promise he’d meant to make. “You know what I find funny?”
“Oh no.” She groaned and raised her head. “You’re turning the tables on me.”
He chuckled and dug a hand into his pocket. “I think it’s funny that I still have this.”
The old velvet box was a little worse for wear. Most of the burgundy velvet had worn off over the years, and the hinge creaked when he popped it open. “It’s not a marriage proposal. But it is a promise.”
“Is that…” Her index finger landed on the edge of the box and tipped it toward her. “Is that the same ring?”
“Yes.” His breath caught at the look in her eyes, the unshed tears and years of longing that spiraled into a deep well. “I do want to marry you, Michelle. And I’ll propose when the time is right. For now, I wanted to offer you this, a promise that I’m yours. Now and forever.”
“I accept.” She sniffled and ducked her head. “I want to marry you too. I’m okay with waiting a little while longer.” A short laugh rattled out. “We waited fifteen years.”
And he’d thought for a while it might kill him to wait any longer. He’d debated proposing today, but it wasn’t the right time. Not yet was the answer he’d been given when he prayed about it. Soon, but not yet.
He didn’t understand why, but one thing he’d learned through the years was to listen when God gave him direction.
Even if they loved each other, even if God was in the middle of their relationship, their obedience and willingness to listen to God above their own wants mattered.
So, he waited, and he offered his promise.
“I’m willing to wait forever if that’s what it takes.” Her whispered promise echoed his thoughts back at him.
He slid the ring out of the box and onto her right hand. Her palm cupped his cheek, and he kissed her until all thoughts fell away. Someday, they’d stand before God and their families and say ‘I do’ but not until God gave permission.
Waiting hurt. He did it anyway.
His phone shrilled a merry tune that pulled him away from Michelle.
She sighed and spun the ring around on her finger, letting it catch the sunlight and sparkle in her face.
“What’s up, Chuck?”
“Well.” Chuck’s laughter drifted through the phone, and across the vast field behind them. “The boys and I were wondering if you two were going to stand there all day or if you wanted to help us push these cattle back to the pens?”
“Just because you interrupted, I think he should have to do all the work himself.” Michelle spoke loud enough for her voice to carry, and Chuck laughed outright into Chase’s ear.
“In that case, guess I’ll let you get back to it.” He ended the call with a snort.
Michelle narrowed her eyes and stared into the distance. “He’s a menace.”
“Yep.” No need in disagreeing. “He’ll make it his daily job to annoy you if you give him any kind of ammunition.”
“Really?” The challenge lit her up. She pecked him on the cheek. “Then let’s show him what happens when he messes with the best.”
“Not sure you want to do that.” He tried to warn her, but she’d already climbed into the saddle and turned her mare toward the cowboys riding hard on their way to gather one of the last herds of the season.
They’d separate the mamas from the calves and turn them back out in separate fields for the winter. It was hot, grueling work that he had a deep love/hate relationship with.
Michelle tapped her heels to her horse’s sides and waved at him. “Come on, cowboy. I’m not afraid of Chuck. He won’t know what’s coming for him.”
“That’s the truth.” Chase hopped into the saddle and urged his mount to catch up. “You really want to help cut cattle?”
“I want to learn as much as I can about the ranch, so I know what I’m good at and where I’ll be the most help. If I’m not cut out for it, I’ll stick with what I know I can do.” she grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. “See what I did there?”
“I see it.” Worry started in and forced him to speak. “You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone.”
“I know.” Resolve cut into her eyes and firmed her jaw.
She glanced up at the sky, then over at him.
“It’s not about proving myself. I skated by for years.
It wasn’t easy to stay in the city when I knew I belonged here.
Now that I’m back, I want to experience all the things I missed.
And that includes cutting cattle. Which you never let me do. ”
“I didn’t think you’d want to.” He shrugged when she scoffed. “I never once told you no. And I never tried to talk you out of it.”
“No, you just found fun things for us to do that day instead. It’s a wonder your dad didn’t ground you every other week for skipping out on your work.”
He’d made Chase work extra to make up for it, but it had been worth it to spend that quality time with Michelle.
“Did you think I couldn’t do the job?”
He snapped a look at her, his neck popping in the process. “I know better than that.” He snorted and pushed his gelding into a lope. “You’re probably better at it than I am. You were almost always better than me at cowboy stuff.”
“I was?” Her mare shot forward again. “I never thought that.”
“Dad called you a natural.”
“You are too.”
They merged with the cowboys. Chuck stayed behind to close the gate, and he whistled at them when they rode past.
“I never had a choice.” Chase slowed as the cattle came into view. “Dad started teaching me before I could even ride by myself. You showed up one summer and it was like you’d been born in a saddle. Even the horses preferred you over me.”
“Did not.” She grinned even as she denied it. “You told me that once. I thought you were mad at me.”
“Not mad.” He could never be mad at her for being better than him. “Impressed.”
Her strength always amazed him.
Chuck raced past them. “You two might as well be riding in reverse.”
“Ha.” Michelle shot after him.
He let them go, choosing to ride behind and simply enjoy the happiness she’d brought back into his life.
“When it’s time, Lord. When You say it’s time, I’m ready.
” He almost prayed for God to hurry up and give him the go ahead.
He couldn’t think of anything better than asking Michelle to marry him and having her say yes.
Except for the day when he finally got to watch her walk down the aisle and they connected their lives together once and for all.
The cowboys greeted her with a raucous round of cheers. She high-fived Chuck and laughed along with whatever joke they passed around. She’d always fit into this world, and now she finally wanted to belong.
Michelle reined her mare around and trotted to the right of the herd.
By the time they made it to the rows of cattle pens where the cutting happened, he’d heard more laughter from her and his friends than he thought possible.
He helped Michelle into a spot in one of the pens and explained their process.
She nodded along, her head bobbing in time with his words. “So, push the babies through here, and send the mamas back that way.” One hand rested on her thigh, the other locked around the reins. “And use the paddle thing to help bar the chute.”
“You got it.” He handed her the long handled orange paddle. Rocks rattled in the end, the noise helping convince the cattle to move in the few instances when the horses were not intimidating enough. “You want to watch me for a few minutes?”
“I’d watch you for the rest of my life.” She leaned sideways and flipped the brim of his hat. “But then I’d have to listen to Chuck whine that I wasn’t doing my job.”
“That’s because it’s his least favorite job and he’s afraid I’ll make him do it.” Chase raised his voice and pointed at Chuck.
Chuck held up his free hand. “I don’t know who you’re talking about. Can’t be me. I always do my job.”
“Uh-huh.” Chase rolled his eyes and unlatched the gate for Michelle to ride through. “You’re going to be great. And you can stop anytime.”
“Part cowgirl, part antique historian.” She tipped her hat. “Welcome to Blue Diamond Ranch, fellas. It’s a whole new world now that I’m back.”
They hooted and hollered, calling out insults and challenges like she’d always been part of the team.
Michelle smiled and took it all in stride. “It’s good to be home.”